Fight as if you're right; listen as if you're wrong.If you plant a seed in the ground, you don't dig it up each day to see how it's doing.Beware of your inner jerk. Peformance, humanity...Self-awareness.Bossholes
...are just a few snippets that stand out for me. This piece is not just an opinionated work by Sutton, it's a culmination of a life time's research, backed by professional studies, research and personal accounts from the workplace. Although it could be said the vast majority of the material is from US companies, the problems of being a good/bad boss/manager are relevant to all countries & cultures - humanity.
This book can be read by managers and subordinates alike - If you're a manager, then hopefully you'll leave your ego at the door, open yourself to new insights, allowing you to question yourself, an exercise of introspection; if you don't experience an "aha" moment, then you're either a very good boss, or just an asshole...for those people reporting to managers/bosses, you'll find the material useful in managing your boss, to detect signs of "bossholes" and possibly change you ways, e.g. don't take it personal, find methods to deal effectively with an asshole boss...
It's unbelievable how I found myself looking back to scenarios in my own professional life, and of late, have had to deal with some really difficult people, including my bosses. I can personally relate to having a boss who is so full of himself that he barely listens to people, or appears to be listening, but doesn't heed a word being said. Once he zones in on a train of thought, for his understanding and for all intents and purposes "rightly or wrongly" (his famous quotes) assumes his way is the best without giving a chance to the others for trying out their ways....on top of that, the guy builds upon his 20 years of industry experience and always uses that as leverage against his subordinates. Instead of teaching the ropes, this guy is just plain bossy - a manager without any form of coaching skills, of rather selfishly keeps the skills and experience preventing others from learning. Among other the things, this guy was notorious for delaying meetings, extending the meetings to have "educate me session" with no cause for concern if you've got other commitments to attend to. Not to mention, he takes over meetings, and wants to be involved in the detail...I've also had bosses where after having been completely honest about issues, does nothing to improve the situation...At first I thought it was just down to UK management style and culture (i.e. being aggressive, in control, focussing on production production production, less on people people people) - but then I later worked with some brilliant managers that were very good coaches, mentors and leaders. So it's good not to generalise... Anyway, one should always take time to assess the situation, as the saying goes to "soss it out" - and if you don't like what you see, or the person you might become as a result of working for a crappy boss, then walk away....
If only they could read this book and learn a thing or two. But even then, as the example cited in the book, even if you give the book to your asshole boss as a gift, he won't get it, think that he's an excellent boss...afterall a leopard can't change its spots, you can't teach an old dog new tricks....unless you empty your tea cup ;-) And yes, I'll be reading the The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilised Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't in the near future...
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